*I will preface this with the statement that I came into tech from running a creative agency - so take this for whatever its worth.

I think that image is just as important as tech, and those that can put the two together will have a much easier time finding users/customers, and partners.

The cost to have your brand built-out, by a creative agency actually worth paying is in the $15,000-$25,000 range. The math behind that is basically: good agencies work for about $200 per hour (per person) and typically a job like a brand buildout will require 3 people, for about a week. That is 120 hours of work @ $200 per hour, or about $25k. I can tell from experience that you can find deals - sometimes; but I would go into with my eyes wide open, and look into groups that work at that level/rate.

Edit: I did not answer your actual question. The answer is, as soon as you can put together the money to do it.

I completely agree that image is as important as tech, if not more so. Likewise, that it would be 15000 well spent (noting that this figure is 10x the budget in our original post)-- if we were close enough to product/market fit that we could afford it.

If you're just in need of a brand kit $1,500 sounds pretty reasonable if it's a profressional agency. Specially if that covers a name, logo, icons, colors and fonts.

I would stay away from 99Designs because if you're launching a beta you'll need someone to also help iterate any changes based on feedback. So quick and close communication is important.

if you need any further input on what kind of things you should be looking for from a designer send me an email.

I've helped over 12 startups with branding including 2 YC startups.

Thanks.

Sorry emails in my bio.

no worries :)

The question is 1500 vs 300/400, under the assumption that whatever we do will need to be redone in 6 months.

$1500 pays perhaps one day of salary for your team of 3. What kind of business has problems affording that?

A business funded out of the founders savings, where we aren't making 500 bucks per day each.

So your "business" has not enough capital to pay its founders a below market rate salary nor to pay a graphics designer.

Don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds to me you don't have enough capital to start even a pizza joint. Are you sure you should be doing this startup of yours?